Shorne Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Barracudas Activity Camp Inspection report for early years provision

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118594 Unique Reference Number 24 July 2007 Inspection date Toni Hanson Inspector

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Coopers' & Coborn School, St. Mary's Lane, Upminster, Essex, RM14 3HS

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Setting Address

0845 123 5299 Telephone number info@barracudas.co.uk E-mail Young World Leisure Group Limited Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

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Setting Address

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Barracudas Summer Activity Camp is a well-established holiday play scheme. It is run by the Young World Leisure Group and operates from the Coopers and Coborn School, in a residential area of Upminster, Essex. The camp uses many of the school facilities including the sports hall, swimming pool, changing rooms, dining room, drama room, two art rooms, the P.E room and various classrooms. Children also have access to the school sports fields. The camp serves the local and wider community.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The camp operates during the school summer holidays only and is open Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 17:30. Children may attend the morning club from 08:00 or the pm club until 18:00 for an additional fee. A maximum of 130 children aged four to under eight years may attend the camp at any one time. There are currently 107 children aged from four to 12 years on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and welcomes children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Young World Leisure Group employs a qualified teacher to be responsible for the day to day management of the setting. In addition there are 17 staff who work directly with the children, eight of whom are qualified. Of these, two members of staff are currently working towards a

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 teaching qualification. All staff receive in house training before the camp opens. Barracudas has achieved the Aiming High Quality Assurance Scheme level 3, organised by 4Children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in welcoming and clean environment. Their health needs are met well, as five staff have attended paediatric first aid training and ensure accidents are dealt with appropriately. Staff work closely with parents to ensure children's individual medical needs are known and met. Children learn about the importance of hygiene and personal care, they respond readily to gentle reminders to wash their hands with soap after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide snacks and a packed lunch for their children. Staff ensure these are safely stored in cool bag lunch box containers. Healthy lifestyle posters are displayed to encourage children to be physically active and bring healthy food options to camp. A fruit shop is provided in the dining hall, where children purchase a range of fresh fruits such as bananas, apples and satsumas. Children are offered drinks of water regularly. They bring water bottles to camp and these are replenished during the day. A water station is provided outdoors where children can help themselves to drinks and rest in the shade under the gazebo. This enables them to learn to meet their own needs. Although parents are encouraged to provide sun cream and caps for their children, staff do not routinely check that children are protected from the sun before playing outdoors.

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Helping children to be healthy

A strength of this outcome is that children have opportunities to be active and enjoy physical activities throughout the day, which contributes to their good health. They enthusiastically bounce on the trampoline, swim a width of the pool and invent new balls games to play with staff. The activity programme includes regular rest periods for children, when they can relax and have a drink and snack. Children who are tired can enjoy a quiet activity in the art room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe, secure environment. The furniture and equipment provided is clean, safe, age appropriate and in good condition. Staff carry out daily risk assessments to identify and minimise potential safety hazards. Staff are vigilant in their supervision of children, as they move around the school premises to access different activities. They carry out regular head counts to ensure each child is accounted for. Children benefit as they are provided with appropriate safety equipment to protect them, such as face guards when fencing, helmets for use with the go-karts and arm bands provided for new or unconfident swimmers. Children are closely supervised by qualified lifeguards during swimming activities and follow camp rules such as walking sensibly by the pool. A range of safety precautions are in place, such as fire fighting equipment and clearly displayed emergency evacuation procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective procedures are in place to ensure the safe arrival and collection of children, including orange collection cards for parents and carers. Visitors to the site sign in and out of the camp, wear visitors badges and are never left alone with children. Staff wear brightly coloured tee shirts to ensure children and parents can easily see and identify them. All staff working at this site have undergone the required checks and are suitable to work with children. Children are safeguarded as staff have clear child protection procedures to follow if they are worried or

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 concerned about a child's well-being and safety. This ensures that any child who may be at risk will get the support and help they need.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The enthusiastic staff team create a lively, friendly environment where children enjoy participating in a broad range of exciting activities and making new friends during the school summer holidays. Children are warmly greeted as they arrive and are keen to join in with the activities on offer. They quickly identify with their groups and form friendships with other children and the staff. Staff involve themselves enthusiastically in all play activities and give children the support they need to have fun and learn new skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The play programme is well-organised to ensure it is balanced and gives children opportunities to be active and to enjoy relaxing activities. They have frequent opportunities to take part in a wide range of sport and physical play activities including trampolining, fencing, archery and go-karting. Team games such as basket ball and rounders help the children bond and learn to play co-operatively with others. Many of these activities can be moved indoors in wet weather so the play programme is disrupted as little as possible. Children also have quiet, restful periods when they can enjoy activities such as face painting, drawing and arts and crafts.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children delight as they grapple with new challenges, such as balancing on stilts and twirling with batons, part of the circus skills session. They help staff work out how to do magic tricks, making string suddenly appear out of the magicians wand and then excitedly create new card tricks. Children receive good support from staff to encourage them take part in all activities and have a fun, active and happy time at the camp.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the full range of play experiences on offer. Staff are good role models, treating children with care and respect. They use discussion and explanation effectively to help children learn what is expected of them, for example allow children to talk about and agree important safety rules that must be followed when using the go-kart area. Children's achievements are celebrated. Everyone claps as each child successfully swims a width of the swimming pool. Children understand camp rules, reminding others that shoes must be removed and no more than five children are allowed on the bouncy castle at a time. Children learn to take care of their environment as they tidy away play equipment and are reminded to put rubbish in the bin.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff have a clear understanding of children's individual medical and health needs. Clear information is recorded regarding children's health requirements, to ensure all staff are aware and meet these. Staff are keen to work in partnership with parents. Parents receive useful information about the camp when they register their child. The camp's policies and procedures are available for parents to read on site and are also displayed on the company's website. The weekly activity programme is displayed for parents, so they know what activities are on offer each day. Staff are available at the beginning and end of each day to discuss children's care and progress. Parents are able to telephone the camp at any time for reassurance. Feedback forms are used to encourage parents to share their views about the organisation of the camp and their child's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the very good organisation and management of the setting. Staff are highly motivated, enthusiastic and clearly enjoy working with children. Children are grouped by age and activities tailored to meet their developmental needs. Staff are committed to ensuring children have fun and enjoy the exiting play experiences on offer. Children's safety is a priority and their health is protected appropriately. Robust recruitment, vetting and induction procedures are implemented, to make sure that staff are suitably qualified and/or experienced and suitable to care for children.

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Organisation

Staff are keen to work in partnership with parents to ensure children receive the care and support they need. All the required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place and confidentially stored. This supports children's welfare. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, staff have improved healthy eating options for children. Fresh fruits are now the only food items sold in the dining room tuck shop. Play materials that reflect positive images of different lifestyles continue to be limited, as this is a mostly sport orientated setting. However, staff work hard to promote equal opportunities by ensuring all children have opportunities to participate in the full range of play activities provided.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • further improve arrangements for protecting children from the sun.

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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